Nigerian soldiers are currently locked in a fierce gunfight with bandits led by notorious gang leader Bello Turji in Sabon Birni, Sokoto State.

The clash between the Nigerian Army and Turji’s group reportedly began earlier on Thursday.

A senior consultant and public affairs analyst, Abdulsalam Suleiman Izuagbe, said that commuters can no longer travel from Shinkafi to Sabon Birni.

According to Izuagbe: “There is a war going on in Sabon Birni; Bello Turji is facing the Nigerian Army as I talk to you.

“They are exchanging fire in the Sabon Birni area. From Shinkafi to Sabon Birni is no longer safe for anybody to travel, as I’m presently speaking. To think it’s a normal business as usual is missing the point.”

Bello Turji, known for leading violent attacks and kidnappings in the region, has been a high-priority target for Nigerian security forces for months.